1917-1923

1917

Interned German steamers Holsatia, Setos, Pommern, Prinz Waldemar and others, set fire to by their German crews, and machinery wrecked.

Gunboat Geicr likewise wrecked. American bluejackets and marines save Geier from destruction. Captain Grasshof surrendered his vessel which was under parole. Officers and men taken to military posts for imprisonment. Other merchant vessels were Longmoon, Staatssekreter Kraetke, Gouverneur Jaeschke and schooner Hermes; also steamer 0. J. D. Ahlers, at Hilo.

German gunboat Geier, reconditioned at Pearl Harbor, renamed U S. S. Carl Schurz, commissioned and sent to Atlantic where later it was sunk in collision with an American ship.

Hawaii entered war by giving liberally to all calls for funds to conduct the war against Germany. First Liberty loan drive, in June, contributed $4,857,850, far above estimate; the second, in October, $8,060,800, going over allotment by $5,000,000. The army alone subscribed $1,269,150. Red Cross funds contributed totaled $233,291.25. April 6.

Island of Lanai sold as cattle ranch to F. F. and H. A. Baldwin for $588,000.

Royal Hawaiian hotel sold to Army and Navy “Y” for $250,000.

Ainahau, once home of Princess Likelike and Princess Kaiulani, at Waikiki, sold and divided into building lots.

“Honolulu Hale,” adjoining old post office on Merchant street, built of coral blocks, constructed in 1843 as Hawaii’s first executive building, razed.

New Matson liner Maui arrives on maiden voyage from San Francisco. Soon afterward the Maui, Matsonia and Wilhelmina were commandeered by the U. S. government as transports in the Atlantic.

Kilauea volcano active. May.

War registration throughout Hawaii, with total of 25,970. July 31.

Officers and crew of Schr. Churchill, wrecked on French Frigate Shoals, brought to Honolulu in sampan. October 30.

“Draft day,” 300 men being drawn in each of the six draft districts. November 1.

Former Queen Liliuokalani died at Washington Place. November 11. State funeral of Liliuokalani from former royal palace. Interment in Kalakaua crypt, at Royal Mausoleum in Nuuann Valley. November 18.

Another Congressional party from Washington visited Islands on invitation of the Hawaiian Legislature, all expenses paid. Trip halted by death of Queen Liliuokalani.

1918

Hindu poet, Rabindranath Tagore, visitor. January 23.

Sir Ernest Shackleton, explorer, a visitor. April 3.

Rev. H. H. Parker, pastor of Kawaiahao (native) church for 54 years, resigned.

Kamehameha Day, one hundredth anniversary of death of Kamehameha the Great, observed with historical procession. June 11.

Two army seaplanes left Luke Field 9:10 a. m. with one bag mail, and arrived at Hilo 1 p. m., 190 miles. July 3.

Bank of Honolulu, owned by Irwin interests, sold to Honolulu capitalists.

Formal dedication of Pearl Harbor Naval Station drydock, with Secretary of Navy Josephus Daniels, principal speaker, accompanied by Admiral Parke, engineer of dock. Said it would be available to merchant marine vessels. Daniels arrived on U. S. S. New York. August 21.

Eruption of Mauna Loa, at elevation of 10,000 feet. Lava flowed rapidly down mountain, crossing government road in Kona district and fell into sea at Alika. September 29. Followed by tidal wave on Kona coast. October 2. Eruption ceased November 11.Admiral Lord Jellicoe, hero of Jutland, visited Honolulu on H. B. M. S. New Zealand. October 31.

Opening of hundredth anniversary of arrival of first American missionaries in Hawaii; special guests from mainland representing missions, churches, colleges; included historical procession, historical Hawaiian pageant at Rocky Hill, Punahou, depicting old Hawaiian life, arrival of missionaries, education of Hawaiians, etc. Eminent mainland speakers at Kawaiahao church. April 11. Celebration lasted week. Prince of Wales was special guest at the Hawaiian Pageant, April 13.

Hawaiian Homes Act (Rehabilitation Act) passed by Congress, providing for Hawaiian Homes Commission at Honolulu, to set apart territorial lands for Hawaiians in “back to soil plan.” This was the life hope of Prince Kalanianaole, delegate to Congress. First experiments to be on Molokai. July 9.

Reclamation of Waikiki swamps (Honolulu) commenced; provides for drainage canal to open sea and filling in.

Pan-Pacific Educational Conference convened, to discuss possibilities and needs of education in the several countries, viewed from standpoint of their civilization, form of government, etc. Delegates present from many countries. August.

S. S. Empire State made run from Yokohama to Honolulu in 8 days 40 minutes. Following month Golden State (Pacific Mail) made run in 7 days 1S hours. September 19.

S. S. City of Los Angeles arrived, inaugurating new Los Angeles Steamship Company service to Honolulu. July 17.

Second liner, City of Honolulu, burned at sea; no loss of life.

S. S. Laconia arrived with round-the-world party of 420. December 16.

1923

S. S. Resolute arrived with round-the-world party of 462. February 1.

S. S. Empress of France arrived with round-the-world party of 800. February 16.

Hawaiian legislature passes Hawaii’s “Bill of Rights” addressed to Congress, asking that the Territory of Hawaii be more liberally regarded by Congress in appropriations, on ground that Hawaii is an integral part of the United States. March.

Harbor Commission program approved by legislature to develop great wharves at Honolulu, Kahului and Hilo. March.

New Inter-Island S. S. Company express liner Haleakala arrived from Philadelphia to go on “Volcano Route,” Honolulu to Hilo. March 15.

U. S. S. Omaha made record run, Honolulu to San Francisco, in 3 days hours 40 minutes. May 8.

S. S. President Taft made record run. Yokohama to Honolulu, in 7 days 8 hours 30 minutes. June 7.

California yachts finisher- race Santa Barbara to Honolulu; won by Diablo, with Mariner second. Spindrift and Viking were third and fourth. July 31.

Opened with great building projects for Honolulu, including completion of Castle & Cooke office building, of classic design; construction of new First National Bank Building; construction of new Bishop Bank building; Hawaiian Electric Co. building; in downtown group, adjacent to T. H. Davies & Co. building and Young hotel. January.

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